Tow car

Bear

Bear

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Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
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Burstner elegance821
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Van life for 13 years
Morning hive.

So present thoughts going through me head for future travelling. Tow along small motors.....whats the plus and what's the minus please?
Is it easy enough to drive with it in tow.....pardon the pun.
Best towing gear?
Best sort of car?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Advantages:
easy to drive small car when parked up
parking when in Motorhome hating locations
can leave awning etc set up
no need to move van
Payload can be manipulated
if short of payload makes a good secure trailer.
A-frame simplicity
Good reason not to go to europe

Disadvantage:
fuel consumption? (outweighed by lower mpg of tow car when used?)
Not proper motorhoming
percieved problems towing

Dont forget to check with a-frame manufacture what cars can be moded before you buy. Homework first.
I tow an Up!
 
Upvote 0
the1andonly said:
Advantages:
easy to drive small car when parked up
parking when in Motorhome hating locations
can leave awning etc set up
no need to move van
Payload can be manipulated
if short of payload makes a good secure trailer.
A-frame simplicity
Good reason not to go to europe

Disadvantage:
fuel consumption? (outweighed by lower mpg of tow car when used?)
Not proper motorhoming
percieved problems towing

Dont forget to check with a-frame manufacture what cars can be moded before you buy. Homework first.
I tow an Up!
Click to expand...
Thank you the1andonly.
That was my thought re easy driving about, especially with a tag.
Also can use as a car when home.
A frame would be the way for me.
Too much beautiful country to see here on our doorstep with out going to Europe.

Does it affect the consumption much?
Not proper? Whys that?
I must admit to perceived difficulty but was reassured on a different site.
 
Upvote 0
Fiat 500 tows sweetly.
I don't understand the physics but it works well.
Have to plan ahead at rest stops or fuel stops to make sure the extra long rig can get in and out as most A frame don't like reverse
 
Upvote 1
Hi yes i tow a toyota IQ with Armitage Aframe attaches to my Bessacarr no trouble at all, remapped motorhome for more torque and power so easily towed up steep hills all over Wales.

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Upvote 0
I’m looking at the moment as well, be very careful with all automatics so far I’ve only found one that can be flat towed. I also want a cabriolet which for me means just one car a Smart fortwo but then the only problem there is it can only be a 451 model which they stopped making in 2014 and I really wanted something a bit newer, I don’t really want a manual and I only want an A frame.
The other thing you have to take into account is the £1500 -£2000 A frame fitting cost, extra fuel slower travelling and so on, that’s a lot of taxi’s and busses is it worth it👍👎
 
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Bear said:
Thank you the1andonly.
That was my thought re easy driving about, especially with a tag.
Also can use as a car when home.
A frame would be the way for me.
Too much beautiful country to see here on our doorstep with out going to Europe.

Does it affect the consumption much?
Not proper? Whys that?
I must admit to perceived difficulty but was reassured on a different site.
Click to expand...
consumption increase, not a lot 2mpg?
Not proper (tongue in cheek) just an alternative view ive seen but obviously don't agree with.
Cost is a strange one depends on your views and attitude to money
for me A-frame and car is a one of cost once paid for its "free" whereas a hire car is an expensive ongoing cost. (different budgets)
 
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Upvote 0
We have a tag axle and tow a Fiat 500 using the A frame from Towtal. Although not had it that long it has been brilliant. I would say fuel has dropped but so far only just over 1mpg average. The Towtal A frame is very robust compared to some you see but the downside is it is an awkward 26kg. Does fit in boot of car but is a pain. When towing you don't notice at all apart from sometimes pulling away you get a bit of wheelspin on damp tarmac. Don't know about others but taking a 9m long tag axle of site is always a challenge so having the tow car is great.
 
Upvote 0
jako999 said:
I’m looking at the moment as well, be very careful with all automatics so far I’ve only found one that can be flat towed. I also want a cabriolet which for me means just one car a Smart fortwo but then the only problem there is it can only be a 451 model which they stopped making in 2014 and I really wanted something a bit newer, I don’t really want a manual and I only want an A frame.
The other thing you have to take into account is the £1500 -£2000 A frame fitting cost, extra fuel slower travelling and so on, that’s a lot of taxi’s and busses is it worth it👍👎
Click to expand...
Towtal supply and fit £1200
 
Upvote 0
We tow a Peugeot 107 on an A frame but only in UK, we don’t take it to France as we use Aires and a car in an Aire is frowned upon!
A frame doesn’t make a lot of difference to the mpg.
Car very useful for trips out and about and food etc. shopping.
Can’t see why you need an excuse for not going to Europe!!!
Don’t know why it’s not ‘proper mtorhoming’.
‘Percieved problems towing’……huh?
 
Upvote 0
We have towed for ages now and whilst we can still get out and about...we always will tow. We now tow the Fiat Abarth .
Fuel economy is neither here nor there to be honest. If you need to get about without the hassle of taking the truck into town for shopping etc...it out ways the issues with the fuel costs.
We have used the Towtal and L and B frames but now have the Light weight frame from Tow a car. By far easier and much more "old folk" friendly! By that...you don't get a hernia putting it on!
Our truck is 8m so it's well worth having it to be honest. Dont forget the fact that the car even though is not registering miles being pulled....it still has that mileage on the chassis and drive gear that you cover whilst towing it. By that ...Always remember to service the cars running gear a little more often. Its ok having a car with only 15k miles on the clock......but you may have put on an extra 10k pulling it! Just a thought to be considered that is all.
Go for it and just enjoy the extra places you can get whilst you can... Its well worth it.

Kev;)(y)
 
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Which tag do you have adrian ?, about to fit a a frame to an aygo to go behind our sonic tag
 
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the1andonly said:
consumption increase, not a lot 2mpg?
Not proper (tongue in cheek) just an alternative view ive seen but obviously don't agree with.
Cost is a strange one depends on your views and attitude to money
for me A-frame and car is a one of cost once paid for its "free" whereas a hire car is an expensive ongoing cost. (different budgets)
Click to expand...
Tbh unless drastic change the fuel difference will be minimal thoughts.
Ahhh yes the differing view points of home on wheels etc 😉
Initially cost are what they are, but like a lot of things we lavishly spen on our home on wheels, once done they are there for good. We'll until the latest model possibly .
 
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Plumberz said:
Hi yes i tow a toyota IQ with Armitage Aframe attaches to my Bessacarr no trouble at all, remapped motorhome for more torque and power so easily towed up steep hills all over Wales.
Click to expand...
Ohh remapped did wonder that route.

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Upvote 0
Kev and Carolyn said:
We have towed for ages now and whilst we can still get out and about...we always will tow. We now tow the Fiat Abarth .
Fuel economy is neither here nor there to be honest. If you need to get about without the hassle of taking the truck into town for shopping etc...it out ways the issues with the fuel costs.
We have used the Towtal and L and B frames but now have the Light weight frame from Tow a car. By far easier and much more "old folk" friendly! By that...you don't get a hernia putting it on!
Our truck is 8m so it's well worth having it to be honest. Dont forget the fact that the car even though is not registering miles being pulled....it still has that mileage on the chassis and drive gear that you cover whilst towing it. By that ...Always remember to service the cars running gear a little more often. Its ok having a car with only 15k miles on the clock......but you may have put on an extra 10k pulling it! Just a thought to be considered that is all.
Go for it and just enjoy the extra places you can get whilst you can... Its well worth it.

Kev;)(y)
Click to expand...
Thanks for the information on the different frames. Like possibly you, a lighter model for the growing number of age is useful to know.
Ohh I have decided to go for it, just the which frame and car now
 
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I visited taf at chesterfield a while ago to see exactly what he does, a new frame bolted to the chassis legs just forward of the struts, it seems some use the front crossmember as mounting points which some say isnt strong enough to takes the forces of being towed over long distances
 
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Chris/Tracy said:
I visited taf at chesterfield a while ago to see exactly what he does, a new frame bolted to the chassis legs just forward of the struts, it seems some use the front crossmember as mounting points which some say isnt strong enough to takes the forces of being towed over long distances
Click to expand...
I think tow a car replace cross member with a steel bar for added strength. Priced up an a frame with them on a smart car and they wanted £2500.00 now for complete job, that was in July this year.

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Was chatting to my MOT tester on Monday after picking up moho from the test, we always chat about motorhomes as he has one and a small camper for day trips out.... I only take bikes with us but we talked about payload, he said "you have loads of spare, I've only 200kg" then he said "do you take a car with you?"... I said no but there is one when our daughter swings by. He said he used to have a Ford Fiesta but it was a pig to tow, he now uses ( and has some a courtesy cars) a Suzuki Alto... Tows fantastic and never goes wrong.....
 
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I towed a Hyundai I 10 with the towmaster system fitted by LNB in Bristol with Autotrail scout.

The wife had a Q3 which was basically used for running around so sold that a bought a new I 10 with the proceeds. £30 tax 40+ mpg lower insurance .
The towmaster system is light and very user friendly and when not in use fits in the boot of the I 10 comfortable.
Towing the car was no problem at all and did not notice any lack of power.
Having the car is really handy for exploring once you are pitched up.
 
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vkr15s said:
I towed a Hyundai I 10 with the towmaster system fitted by LNB in Bristol with Autotrail scout.

The wife had a Q3 which was basically used for running around so sold that a bought a new I 10 with the proceeds. £30 tax 40+ mpg lower insurance .
The towmaster system is light and very user friendly and when not in use fits in the boot of the I 10 comfortable.
Towing the car was no problem at all and did not notice any lack of power.
Having the car is really handy for exploring once you are pitched up.
Click to expand...
LNB have come up in other replies elsewhere. Living on the Isle of Wight who ever I go yo is a trip lol.
On a different note want to get air suspension as well.

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Do your own research on a-frame companies there are quite a few offering electronic and pure mechanical methods. The electronic ones can be simple ones switched by MH rear lights or have additional G sensors that sense when you are actually decelarating not just sat with foot on brake running the servo and Battery down. Read and understand and don't base desission just on what is popular.
 
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the1andonly said:
Do your own research on a-frame companies there are quite a few offering electronic and pure mechanical methods. The electronic ones can be simple ones switched by MH rear lights or have additional G sensors that sense when you are actually decelarating not just sat with foot on brake running the servo and Battery down. Read and understand and don't base desission just on what is popular.
Click to expand...
Indeed I am. But always good to get viewpoints by them that are using them. And of course thf company that fits and or makes them.
 
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Space is the way to go adrian , 9m is very comfortable just the 2 of us and 2 dogs, the car will make life a lot easier when touring where are you from?
 
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Bear said:
LNB have come up in other replies elsewhere. Living on the Isle of Wight who ever I go yo is a trip lol.
On a different note want to get air suspension as well.
Click to expand...
We have the Dunlop air suspension fitted and it works very well. Game changer when travelling
 
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Adrian140974 said:
Also no issues with A frame around Europe so far
Click to expand...
I am also thinking about a tow car. I have heard third Hand that some people have had problems with police in Spain, but never met anyone online or in person who has actually had any problems themselves. I would be interested to know which countries you have been to so far.
 
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